News

Since 2012 when AKGP was created, Lithuanian Heritage Schools of the US expressed their gratitude to the KFF for its financial support and attention and started working together for their improvement. One of the immediate needs was a resource e-center for the schools to share information needed in their work. In July 2013, AKGP initiated a creation of the resource e-center, and in January 2014, offically announced about the initiative, asking all the schools to join in. 

ASSIST Lithuania 2014-2015 school year competition ended in January. English language proficiency test held in December, gave 39 students a right to compete for 6 spots in best boarding schools of the United States of America for one academic year as exhange students. 

The Consul General of the Republic of Lithuania in New York Valdemaras Sarapinas presented Dr. Joseph Peter Kazickas with the medal/order ”For the Homeland's Freedom”...

The KFF NY Director Neila Baumiliene and Program Director Snieguole Furajeviene in coordination with the Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania in Washington D.C., came to Yale for the Ambassador of Lithuania to the US Zygimantas Pavilionis's visit. In a day long events, the Ambassador presented Lithuanian Presidency of the European Union tasks. Mr.Pavilionis met with Prof. Bradley Woodworth, a Coordinator of the Baltic Studies Program, supported by the KFF. J.P.Kazickas Fellowship at Yale, the 2014 conference on the Baltic and Scandinavian studies and possible cooperation between Yale University and one of the Lithuania's Universities were discussed.

US Lithuanian Community Educational Council and members of the Boston Lithuanian Heritage School organized a seminar “From theory to practice” for professional education for teachers. Neila Baumiliene, the KFF NY Director, along with Elena Naujikiene and Snieguole Furajeviene, both of the KFF presented AKGP 2013 Grant Award checks to the directors of three of the participating schools. 

Dr. J. P. Kazickas expressed his gratitude to the teachers and administrators of the Lithuanian Heritage Schools in the US on the International Teachers Day (Otober 5th). The total amount approved for disbursment in 2013 for the Alexandra Kazickas Grant Program (AKGP) by the KFF Board of Directors was $130 000. The sum was shared by 27 out of 36 Lithuanian Heritage Schools of the US. Dr. Kazickas letter in Lithuanian.

Jurate Kazickas in her letter to the board of  Valdas Adamkus Presidential Library wrote:"The Kazickas Family Foundation is pleased to announce a grant of 500,000 Litas to the Pres. Valdas Adamkus Presidential Library. We are honored to be a part of this very worthwhile and special project. President Adamkus is not only a celebrated leader of our beloved Lietuva but a close family friend whom we repect and admire. The 500,000 Litas grant will be spread out over 5 years with the first installment of 100,000 to be delivered by the end of the year." 

Ms. Daiva Navickas, President of the Lithuanian Education Council of the US, visited Dr. J.P. Kazickas in his home in East Hampton, NY. Mindaugas Breiva, a math and computer science teacher and Director of "Vaizdo Pamokos" from Lithuania, alond with KFF Secretary Treasurer John Kazickas, KFF NYC Director Neila Baumiliene, KFF NYC Program Director Snieguole Furajeviene and KFF NYC Administrator Elena Naujikiene discussed new steps for collaboration with Lithuania regarding Lithuanian Heritage schools of the US

Dr. J. P. Kazickas with his son Michael Kazickas came to the Alexandra Kazickas Lithuanian Heritage School 8th School year opening ceremony held in Red Creek Park, Hampton Bays, NY. Guests of the event were Consul General of the Republic of Lithuania  to New York Valdemaras Sarapinas and his wife Vyte, Columbia University Professor Emeritus Rimas Vaičaitis, Kazickas Family Foundation Administrator Elena Naujikiene. Lithuanian Consulate in New York issued a press release on the event.